Portable wig stand

ABSTRACT

A portable wig stand adapted to removably receive thereon a styrofoam shaped head for resting a wig thereon, the stand consisting of a base having a removable post projecting upwardly from the center of the top surface thereof, the bottom of the base adapted to be securely fastened to any suitable horizontal surface by a suction cup arrangement, a valve projecting from the top of the base adapted for use to release the suction to prevent removal of the base from the supporting surface, and a clip disposed inside the base and adapted to receive the post for storage purposes when the stand is being stored or transported.

t 3;: Unite States atent 1 [111 3,885,718

Clemence May 27, 1975 PORTABLE WIG STAND [76] Inventor: John A. Clemence, 501 Halsey Ave., Primary Exammer Geo' Larkm San Jose, Calif. 95128 22 Filed: July 22, 1974 [57'] ABSTRACT [21] AppL No; 476,827 A portable wig stand adapted to removabl y receive thereon a styrofoam shaped head for resting a wig thereon, the stand consisting of a base having a re- [52] US. Cl. 223/66 v ble post projecting upwardly from the center of [51] the top surface theregf the bottom of the base Fleld of Search 223/1, 66, 68, 34, 67, adapted to be securely fastened to any suitable hori- 223/ zontal surface by a suction cup arrangement, a valve 269/321 WW projecting from the top of the base adapted for use to release the suction to prevent removal of the base References Cited from the supporting surface, and a clip disposed inside UNITED STATES PATENTS the base and adapted to receive the post for storage 3,198,408 8/1965 Benner 223/66 Purposes when the Stand is being stored or trans- 3,441,182 4/1969 Gregory 223/66 P 3,465,926 9/1969 Schwartz et a]. 223/67 3,465,927 9/1969 BElOkin 223/67 5 Clams 6 D'awmg PORTABLE WIG STAND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a portable wig stand intended for removably supporting thereon a head shaped manikin for resting a wig thereon.

2. Description of the Prior Art In view of the increased popularity of the use of wigs among women in the country today, and in view of the care required of such wigs as to storage and styling thereof, there have been developed wig stands of different types and shapes for supporting such manikin heads thereon, but all of such stands suffer from one or more disadvantages as to being bulky and large in size so as to not be suitable for traveling purposes, complex to manufacture and thus costly to purchase, require some expertise on the part of the user to properly use the same, become overweighted due to the weight of the wig on the manikin and tend to be unstable and thus subject to tipping and the associated dropping of the wig supported thereon, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes the problems associated with properly maintaining, styling, and storing a wig and provides a novel solution thereto in the form of a portable wig stand readily adapted to support a head shaped manikin in a convenient and expedient manner, and easily disassembled for purposes of storage, transportation, shipping or the like. Further, the stand is provided with positive fastening means adapted to be affixed to any suitable horizontal surface in a manner not marring or scarring the same to prevent movement of the stand during the combing or brushing of the wig on the manikin head supported thereon, such fastening means being readily and rapidly released when desired to remove the stand from the supporting surface. I

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a compact and efficient portable Wig stand which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation.

A further feature of the present invention provides a portable wig stand which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a portable wig stand which is of a rugged and durable construction and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand many years of intended usage.

Still yet a further feature of the present invention provides a portable wig stand which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides a portable wig stand which can be retailed at a sufficiently low price to encourage its widespread use.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this SpeClfiCulwn. and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofthe portable wig stand of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the portable wig stand;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the portable wig stand with a portion thereof broken away to illustrate interior details thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded cross-sectional view taken along Line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along a plane cutting through the vacuum release valve mounted in the base and illustrating the valve in the closed position; and

FIG, 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating the valve in the open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of a portable wig stand constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 and is comprised of a base 11, a post 12, and a valve 13 mounted in the base 11.

The base 11 is formed of a resilient material, such as polystyrene plastic, and may be provided in a variety of colors and decorative designs appealing to prospective purchasers. The base 11 consists of an arcuate top surface 21, depending downwardly extending cylindrical side walls 22 terminating at bottom edge 23 which is provided with an annular flange 24 projecting radially inwardly therefrom. The bottom of the base 11 is open with the base adapted to sit on flange 24 on any suitable horizontal supporting surface 25. The top surface 21 is provided centrally thereof with an inwardly extending reinforcement 26 having a vertically extending cylindrical recess 27 formed therein and opening out of the top thereof, the recess being of a diameter to removably snugly receive therein the bottom end of post 12. The base measures approximately ten inches in diameter.

The post 12 is of a solid cylindrical rod configuration measuring about 3 inches in length and having a top end 31, a bottom end 32, and cylindrical side walls 33, the post adapted to be received in a central opening 35 in the base 36 of a conventional head shaped manikin 37 on which a wig 38 may be rested in the normal manner for storage or for styling purposes. The post 12 is removably inserted in recess 27 of the base 11, and when desired to store the base the post is removed therefrom and is retained in resilient spring clip 41 which is affixed to the underneath portion of the base top surface 21 and is disposed completely within the base 11. The spring clip 41 consists of a pair of identical brackets 42 disposed in confronting relationship and each having a leg portion 43 affixed to top surface 21 and projecting downwardly therefrom and bent into arcuate terminal portions defining a generally semicircular reception area for the post 12.

The vacuum release valve 13 is mounted in top sur face 21 of the base 11 and consists of a general box shaped housing 51 having a top member 52 projecting above top surface 21, a bottom member 53 projecting beneath top surface 21, and depending side wall members 54 interconnecting the same. A chamber 55 is de fined interiorly of members 52 53 with member 5 having apertures 56 extending therethrough in communication with the chamber, and with member 53 having apertures 57 therein in communication with the chamber. A plunger 58 extends axially through the center of chamber 55 and top and bottom members 52 and 53, the bottom end of the plunger supporting a sealing member 59 of a diameter adapted to cover apertures 57 and disposed exteriorly of chamber 55. The top end of plunger 58 terminates in a disc shaped operating head 60 disposed exteriorly of the chamber 55. Affixed to plunger 58 interiorly of chamber 55 adjacent the interior of top member 52 when sealing disc member 59 is in engagement with the exterior of bottom member 53 is a sealing disc member 61 of a diameter sufficient to sealingly engage apertures 56 when in engagement therewith. A conically shaped spiral coil 62 is disposed in chamber 55 with one end resting beneath seal member 61 and the opposite end resting atop the interior surface of bottom member 53, the spring resiliently biasing the valve 13 into the closed position with seal member 61 engaging apertures 56 and seal member 59 engaging apertures 57, this position preventing any air flow through the valve.

As seen in FIG. 6, depressing plunger 58in the direction of arrow 63 separates sealing member 61 from apertures 56 and sealing member 59 from apertures 57 and thus permits air flow from within the base 11 to pass through apertures 57, chamber 55, and out of aperture 56, the purpose thereof which will now be described hereinbelow.

In operation, post 33 is removed from clip 41 and inserted into recess 27. A manikin head 37 is then rested on the post. The base 11 is then placed on whatever desired suitable horizontal surface is available, with slight downward pressure on the manikin head serving to depress resilient top surface 21 to create a partial vacuum therebeneath relative to top surface 25, thus securely fastening the base to the supporting surface. An individual may then use whatever force is necessary in the combing and brushing of wig 38 on manikin 37 for styling of the wig without fear of tipping or moving the stand 10. When it is desired to move stand 10, it is only necessary for the individual to depress plunger 58 by operating head 60 so as to permit air to pass through the valve 13, thus rapidly and efficiently releasing the partial vacuum existing between supporting surface 25 and base 11, thus permitting the stand to be easily separated from the supporting surface. It is to be understood that the use of the vacuum to secure the base to a supporting surface is optional with the user in that the stand has sufficient stability for supporting the manikin and wig thereon without fear of tipping or otherwise dropping the wig from the stand.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. A portable wig stand adapted to support a head shaped manikin thereon for purposes of maintaining and styling a wig supported on the manikin, the wig stand comprising:

a base member adapted to be rested on a horizontal supporting surface;

a post adapted to be removably secured in an operative position in said base and project upright therefrom and adapted to be received in a base of said manikin to secure the same to the stand;

a resilient spring clip affixed to said base and adapted to hold said post when in an inoperative position separated from said base;

vacuum means associated with said base and selectively operable in a manner to assist in securing said base to said supporting surface; and

valve means mounted in said base and in communication with said vacuum means and movable between an inoperable position retaining said vacuum and an operative position destroying said vacuum and permitting said base to be easily removed from said supporting surface.

2. The portable wig stand as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base is of a generally hollow disc-shaped configuration having a closed arcuate shaped flexible resilient top surface, depending cylindrical side wall surfaces, a bottom edge adapted to rest on a supporting surface, an annular flange formed integrally with said side walls adjacent said bottom edge and projecting radially inwardly of said base member, said bottom surface of said base member being open between the inner peripheral edges of said flange, and a socket defined centrally of said top surface and projecting vertically outwardly therefrom and adapted to receive one end of said post therein when said post is mounted therein in an operative position; and wherein said valve means is mounted in said top surface and extends between the exterior thereof and the interior thereof in communication with said base interior, said base interior defining a vacuum type suction cup arrangement whereby resting said bottom edge of said base on a suitable horizontal supporting surface and depressing said top surface inwardly drives air from the vacuum compartment with release of the top surface effecting a partial vacuum in said base compartment between said supporting surface and said base to securely fasten said base to said supporting surface without marring the same.

3. The portable wig stand as set forth in claim 2 wherein said resilient spring clip member consists of a pair of substantially identical brackets disposed in opposed confronting spaced apart relationship and affixed to the interior surface of said base member top surface in a manner contained completely within said base and projecting into said vacuum compartment thereof, said brackets each being generally of the shape of the numeral five with the legs thereof affixed to the top surface and with the arcuate curved portions thereof disposed in confronting relationship spaced downwardly of said top surface.

4. The portable wig stand as set forth in claim 3 wherein said valve means comprises a hollow box-like housing having a horizontal top member. a horizontal bottom member, and vertical depending side wall members interconnecting the peripheral edges thereof, said side wall members affixed in said base top surface with said top member projecting cxteriorly of said top surface and said bottom member projecting intcriorly of said top surface into said vacuum compartment. said top member provided with a central aperture and a pair of air vents extending therethrough and spaced a slight radial distance from said central aperture, said bottom member provided with a central aperture in axial align ment with said first mentioned top member aperture and a pair of air vents spaced radially a slight distance from said central aperture, a hollow chamber defined interiorly of said members and in communication through said top member air vents with said atmosphere and said bottom member air vents with said vac uum compartment, a plunger extending axially through said top member and bottom member central apertures and disposed for reciprocal movement therethrough, said plunger having a top end projecting exteriorly of said top member and a bottom end projecting exteriorly of said bottom member, a disc shaped sealing member affixed centrally to said bottom end of said plunger normal to the axis thereof and of a diameter adapted to seal said bottom member air vents when in engagement therewith, said top end of said plunger having a disc-shaped operating head affixed thereto and extending normal to the axis of said plunger, a second sealing member affixed to said plunger and extending normal to the axis thereof and disposed intermediate said ends inwardly of said chamber and being of a disc shape adapted to seal said top member air vents when in engagement therewith, said second sealing member in engagement with said top member air vent simultaneously with said first mentioned sealing member being in engagement with said bottom member air vents, and a conical spiral spring disposed in said chamber having one end in engagement with said second mentioned sealing member and having said opposite end resting on the interior of said bottom member, said spring resiliently urging said plunger in a direction outwardly of said vacuum compartment to maintain said sealing members in sealed engagement with their associated air vents, the depression of said plunger relative to said valve housing effecting the simultaneous unsealing of each of said sealing members relative to their respective air vents to permit air flow from the atmosphere into said vacuum compartment whereby the partial vacuum previously created in said vacuum compartment is released, thus permitting the wig stand to be easily moved from the supporting surface.

5. The portable wig stand as set forth in claim 4 wherein said post is of an elongated solid cylindrical configuration having a bottom end, a top end and cylindrical side walls, said post having a length of approxi- 

1. A portable wig stand adapted to support a head shaped manikin thereon for purposes of maintaining and styling a wig supported on the manikin, the wig stand comprising: a base member adapted to be rested on a horizontal supporting surface; a post adapted to be removably secured in an operative position in said base and project upright therefrom and adapted to be received in a base of said manikin to secure the same to the stand; a resilient spring clip affixed to said base and adapted to hold said post when in an inoperative position separated from said base; vacuum means associated with said base and selectively operable in a manner to assist in securing said base to said supporting surface; and valve means mounted in said base and in communication with said vacuum means and movable between an inoperable position retaining said vacuum and an operative position destroying said vacuum and permitting said base to be easily removed from said supporting surface.
 2. The portable wig stand as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base is of a generally hollow disc-shaped configuration having a closed arcuate shaped flexible resilient top surface, depending cylindrical side wall surfaces, a bottom edge adapted to rest on a supporting surface, an annular flange formed integrally with said side walls adjacent said bottom edge and projecting radially inwardly of said base member, said bottom surface of said base member being open between the inner peripheral edges of said flange, and a socket defined centrally of said top surface and projecting vertically outwardly therefrom and adapted to receive one end of said post therein when said post is mounted therein in an operative position; and wherein said valve means is mounted in said top surface and extends between the exterior thereof and the interior thereof in communication with said base interior, said base interior defining a vacuum type suction cup arrangement whereby resting said bottom edge of said base on a suitable horizontal supporting surface and depressing said top surface inwardly drives air from the vacuum compartment with release of the top surface effecting a partial vacuum in said base compartment between said supporting surface and said base to securely fasten said base to said supporting surface without marring the same.
 3. The portable wig stand as set forth in claim 2 wherein said resilient spring clip member consists of a pair of substantially identical brackets disposed in opposed confronting spaced apart relationship and affixed to the interior surface of said base member top surface in a manner contained completely within said base and projecting into said vacuum compartment thereof, said brackets each being generally of the shape of the numeral five with the legs thereof affixed to the top surface and with the arcuate curved portions thereof disposed in confronting relationship spaced downwardly of said top surface.
 4. The portable wig stand as set forth in claim 3 wherein said valve means comprises a hollow box-like housing having a horizontal top member, a horizontal bottom member, and vertical depending side wall members interconnecting the peripheral edges thereof, said side wall members affixed in said base top surface with said top member projecting exteriorly of said top surface and said bottom member projecting interiorly of said top surface into said vacuum compartment, said top member provided with a central aperture and a pair of air vents extending therethrough and spaced a slight radial distance from said central aperture, said bottom member provided with a central aperture in axial alignment with said first mentioned top member aperture and a pair of air vents spaced radially a slight distance from said central aperture, a hollow chamber defined interiorly of said members and in communication through said top member air vents with said atmosphere and said bottom member air vents with said vacuum compartment, a plunger extending axially through said top member and bottom member central apertures and disposed for reciprocal movement therethrough, said plunger having a top end projecting exteriorly of said top member and a bottom end projecting exteriorly of said bottom member, a disc shaped sealing member affixed centrally to said bottom end of said plunger normal to the axis thereof and of a diameter adapted to seal said bottom member air vents when in engagement therewith, said top end of said plunger having a disc-shaped operating head affixed thereto and extending normal to the axis of said plunger, a second sealing member affixed to said plunger and extending normal to the axis thereof and disposed intermediate said ends inwardly of said chamber and being of a disc shape adapted to seal said top member air vents when in engagement therewith, said second sealing member in engagement with said top member air vent simultaneously with said first mentioned sealing member being in engagement with said bottom member air vents, and a conical spiral spring disposed in said chamber having one end in engagement with said second mentioned sealing member and having said opposite end resting on the interior of said bottom member, said spring resiliently urging said plunger in a direction outwardly of said vacuum compartmenT to maintain said sealing members in sealed engagement with their associated air vents, the depression of said plunger relative to said valve housing effecting the simultaneous unsealing of each of said sealing members relative to their respective air vents to permit air flow from the atmosphere into said vacuum compartment whereby the partial vacuum previously created in said vacuum compartment is released, thus permitting the wig stand to be easily moved from the supporting surface.
 5. The portable wig stand as set forth in claim 4 wherein said post is of an elongated solid cylindrical configuration having a bottom end, a top end and cylindrical side walls, said post having a length of approximately 3 inches. 